Super Easy Chili - 3 Ingredients

This came from At Home My Way, it was quick, easy and good!  Thanks Gina!  This is so easy, a friend's high school son even made it and liked it.

1 ½ lb browned hamburger (drained)
2 cans "chili beans"(not kidney beans or pinto beans but the cans that say "chili beans")
30 oz tomato sauce

Dump all the ingredients in the pot or crock-pot, give it a good stir. You can cook this on top of the stove for 30 minutes to an hour, or cook in the crock-pot on low however long you want (up to 8-10 hours). You can add a packet of chili mix, but this chili is a little more tomato-y and it works fine. The "chili" beans have plenty of seasoning in them and the chili will still be seasoned and taste strongly of "chili".

Gifts from the Kitchen #1

Happy Friday!  I'm going to start a Friday series, Gifts from the Kitchen.  I'll post items you can make and give.  We all like to give a small gift to the people who are special to us, the childrens' teachers, the postman, the list goes on.......  I hope you find something to help you.

I wish I could give credit where it is due - but........ I have had some of these for 20 plus years!  I've given you two breads and two soups and a dessert.  When you add a bread mix, soup mix, and a dessert mix to a basket you have a perfect gift.
              Beer/7 - Up Bread
3 c Self rising flour
1/3 c Sugar
2 TBS Butter, melted
12 oz Beer or 7 –Up
Mix dry ingredients, add butter then beverage. Put into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 45 – 50 minutes, or until done. It will sound hollow when done.

             Quick Muffin Recipe
1 c self rising flour
1 TBS sugar
1 TBS mayonnaise
Mix thoroughly and spoon into greased muffin tins. Bake about 15 minutes. Makes about 6 muffins. You may add berries, chocolate chips or any other flavoring.

               Chili Mix in a Jar
3 c dried beans (pink, red, or kidney -- sorted).
Put into a jar or large bag.
3 TBS chili powder
2 TBS dehydrated onions
1 TBS garlic powder
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp salt
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Combine spices and put into a small bag.
         Include in your gift basket:
8 oz. can tomato sauce
2 14oz. cans diced tomatoes in juice
Label: Wash beans. Put into pot with spices. Cook until done, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Meanwhile, brown 1 lb. ground beef (if desired), and drain. Add meat to the beans with the tomatoes and sauce. Simmer to blend flavors.

               Italian Soup Mix in a Jar
½ c dried pinto beans
½ c dried pink beans
½ c dried kidney beans
1 c small pasta, uncooked
1 TBS dried parsley
1 TBS chicken bouillon
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp salt
½ tsp dried, minced garlic
Layer beans in order listed in a one quart wide mouth jar; set aside. Place pasta in a plastic zipping bag; gently pack on top of beans. Secure lid; set aside. Toss remaining ingredients together; place seasonings in a small plastic zipping bag and add to jar. Tie on instructions. Instructions: Set plastic bags to the side; pour beans into a mixing bowl. Rinse with water; drain. Cover beans with water; let soak overnight. Rinse and pour into a 5 quart Dutch oven; add 8 cs water, a 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, seasoning packet, one c sliced carrots, one c sliced celery and one c chopped onions. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 2 hours; uncover and boil gently until thickened, about 35 minutes. Stir in pasta; heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Makes 2 quarts. Gift giving idea: Slip a soup mix inside a new thermos and tie on some mittens...a clever gift for a winter celebration.

                S'Mores in a Jar
1 sleeve graham crackers, crushed
1/3 c brown sugar
1 ½ c mini marshmallows
1 c milk chocolate chips
Layer ingredients in the order listed in one quart, wide mouth jar. Secure lid; attach instructions.
       Instructions
Pour mix into a greased 9 x 9" baking pan; set aside. Whisk 1/2 c melted butter and 2 tsp vanilla extract together; pour over mix. Stir well; pat lightly into pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Cool; cut into squares.

Hamburger Stew

A military friend shared this and we have made it for years!!

1 - 1 1/2 lbs hamburger, browned
3 cans tomato soup
4 – 5 med Potatoes, cut into sm cubes
1 bag baby carrots, cut up into rings
Brown hamburger. In large soup pot, add soup and fill half way with water (probably 5 cans worth). Add potatoes, carrots, and pepper. Simmer until veggies are tender.  Probably could put in the crock pot in the morning and cook all day.  mmm -- may have to try that next time.

Quick Chicken & Dumplings

I made this tonight for a friend who is in labor and she'll have it this weekend when they get home. So good and what a great comfort food!

This is from my SIL Terri.  We do splurge on name brand biscuits.  My guys prefer no peas, so I serve this with a salad instead.  Enjoy.

4 c water
3 c chicken, cooked and shredded
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 tsp chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp pepper
1 – 2 cans buttermilk biscuits
1 c frozen peas, thawed (optional)

Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil over med heat stirring often. Cut biscuits in quarters and roll each into a ball. Drop biscuit pieces one at a time into boiling mixture stirring gently. Reduce heat to low and cover. Allow to simmer 15 to 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Add peas during the last 5 minutes.

The General's Carrot Cake

This came from a General’s wife we were in the Air Force with. This was the General’s favorite cake and she would make and  freeze and pull out when need (or wanted).

2 c flour
2 c sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 ½ c oil
2 c carrots, grated
4 eggs
20 oz can crushed pineapple

Mix dry ingredients, mix wet & add to dry. Pour into greased & floured 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 - 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ - 1 sticks butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla
1 box powdered sugar
Beat until smooth & frost.

Thuss cake can be made when you have time & frozen. It can be doubled & bake in whatever size you want. Freeze unfrosted.

I've also post this at Ingredient Spotlight at Eat at Home

Mamaw 2’s Applesauce Raisin Cookies

My grandmother always brought me these when we would come home to visit. Sometimes I would even get a care package in the mail.

Sift & set aside,
4 ½ c Flour
½ tsp Salt
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Cloves

Mix until creamy,
1 ½ c Crisco
2 c Sugar
add 1 egg and beat until light and fluffy

Mix together and add to egg mixture
1 c Applesauce
1 tsp Baking Soda

Gradually add dry ingredients. Add 1 c chopped pecans, & 1 ½ c raisins. Mix well & drop by spoonfuls on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12 – 15 minutes.

This makes a lot of cookies. These will be a soft cookie.

I've also linked this to Ingredient Spotlight over at Eat at Home.

Gifts from the Kitchen

If you are like us when the kids were in school - there were teachers, office staff, school nurse, and others that you wanted to recognize for taking care of them day in and day out. And don’t forget everyone else on your list, mailman, neighbors etc. Of course you can’t buy something for everyone, so gift mixes or pre-made treats are perfect. I was just thinking of this when Tiffany posted these great snack mixes.

http://eatathomecooks.com/2011/11/the-no-bake-no-cook-no-time-gift-solution-4-snack-mix-recipes-in-a-jar.html


I’ll post some mixes I’ve used over the years. I’ll apologize in advance that I can’t give credit to the original owner, some were passed down, some were from friends and some I just don’t know.

Here’s to a Happy Holiday!

Kelly

Cookie Gun Dough

With the holidays around the corner it will be time to make these.  This my favorite recipe.


1 c Crisco
1 c Sugar
1 Egg
2 c Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
¼ tsp Salt
2 tsp Vanilla
Cream sugar and Crisco. Add vanilla, eggs then dry ingredients. Put in gun & "shoot". Bake at 375 for 7- 9 minutes.

PS  Don't have a cookie gun - watch for them to be on sell half-price after Christmas.  I have been known to buy a couple to have for shower gifts.  What better way to start a new brides kitchen!

Tater Tot Casserole

This was and still is Matthew's favorite.  This recipe was given to me when he was in 6th grade. It satisfied boys then and still does today!

1 ½ lbs Hamburger, browned
1 pkg Dry Onion Soup
1 can (4 1/2 oz) Mushrooms, un-drained
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 c Milk
1 pkg Frozen Tater Tots
Mix all ingredients except tater tots and place in greased 9 x 13 pan. Top with tater tots. Bake at 350 uncovered 45 minutes, cover and bake about 30 more until hot and bubbly.  Can be made into 2 8x8 pans and frozen.

Posted to Newlyweds-blog  on Sweet Pea's weekly Linky

Crab Puffs

I got this recipe from my SIL Donna.
We've made it for more years than either of us probably want to admit too!  These are a "holiday treat" for us.

1 pkg English Muffins
1 stick Butter
6 oz jar Old English Cheese Spread
2 TBS Mayonnaise
6 ½ oz can Crabmeat
½ tsp Lemon Pepper
½ tsp Seasoning Salt
½ tsp Garlic Powder
Cream butter, cheese, & mayo. Add seasonings and mix. Rinse crabmeat & squeeze out water. Add to cheese mixture & mix. Split english muffins and spread with a generous amount of mix. Freeze for 1 hour. Broil until golden, cut into quarters and serve. Best if served warm. Can be kept frozen for months. Great to keep in freezer for unexpected guests.